Self-locking rod-clamp.



J.'SGHRAMM. v SELF LOOKING BOD GLAMP.

APPLIOATIDK FILED HA1. 12, 1910.

Patented Nm 8,1910.

JOHN S CHRAMM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELF-LOCKING ROD-CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1910.

Application filed March 12, 1910. Serial No. 549,036.

- To all whom it may concern:

The object of the invention is the provi-' sionof a key which may be lowered to the head of the valve stem and when in engagement with the latter will automatically lock, whereby accidental disengagement of the key from the head of the stem will be positively prevented.

Another object is the provision of a con struction which may be operated by an inexperienced person and brought into engagement with the valve stem located on the gas or water main considerably below the surface of the ground.

With these and other objects in view, which will hereinafter fully appear, the

present invention consists in certain novel details of construction-and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the device may be made, within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the s ecification:Figure 1 is a detailed end new of the device. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the o posite end. Fig. 3 is vertical section 0 the parts shown in gimilar numerals of reference are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The pipe main is designated by the numeral 5, and the valve therein by the nu Ineral 6. By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the stem of this valve terminates in a T-shaped head 7 of well known construction.

The device forming the subject matter of the present invention includes in its construction a rod. 8, the upper end of which extends to a point adjacent to the surface of the earth, and the lower end of which was formed integral therewith, or otherwise secured thereto a head. The head in cludes a tubular socket 9 which receives the lower end of the rod 8, the said socket 9 terminating in a pair of spaced jaws 10 andll. The jaws 10 and 11 are considerably greater in widththan the diameter of the socket 9, their widths corresponding approximately to the length of the cross arm of the T-shaped head 7, and the distance therebetween corresponding approximately to the thickness of the said T- shaped head. The distance between the upper and lower ends of the jaws is somewhat greater than the length of the head, and formed at the medial portions of said lower ends are recesses 12, which receive the upper end of the valve casing when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

By reference to the-drawings, it will be seen that the jaws 10 and 11 are at one end rounded for a portion of their length, as at 13, the said rounded surfaces extend from the lower end of the socket 9 to a point adjacent the lower end of each aw, and terminate in a detent, whereby a shoulder 14 is provided. The middle of the detent is so positioned that when the jaws en age the head 7 the said medial portion will e below the plane of the horizontal limb of the T- shaped head, as shown in the drawings. Connecting the jaws 10 and 11 and arranged adjacent to the sides remote from the curved surface 13, and located in a plane with the lug 14, or approximately so, is a cross piece 15 which is located on the lower side of the horizontal limb of the T-shaped head when the jaws engage with the head, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

A look is provided for the jaws, and in the present instance comprises an oblong rectangular shaped link preferably formed of a single piece of wire or the like. The'sides of the link are designated by the numerals 16 and 17, and the distance between the said sides corresponds approximately to the space between the opposite outer faces of the jaws l0 and 11. The sides 16 and 17 terminate at one end in inturned extensions 18 and 19 which are loosely received by the opening formed. in the jaws 10 and 11' and located adjacent to the upper ends of the said jaws and in a plane with the cross piece Q $lfihs ng ll1h th go tion 20 connecting the sides 16 and. 17 will normally bear on the shoulder 14 and in the detent, and when so positioned will engagewith the lower side of the horizontal oi the T-shaped head and at the end thereof opposite to the end in engagement with the cross piece 1-5.

Having now described the. construction of: the device the manner of looking it to the ead 7 wil be s ated,

v Asshqw i th rod 8 islowelsd 0 th he d 7 aml. when setlowered oss. piece 15. will invariehl'yeng ge wit he uppe side of he aid a By n w moving he head lateryuntil the ress piece ee s.Qs -end f he h ad, the de ise m y be ilted e-eresspieoe esgage the low ri oi he head- When th pan in. this-ne i en,

t; wi l: e ide t tha e PQr iQ 2Q, oi he imb llee upon; he. pp r side: of; he. eed- By new l wing he device. in. h .1 posite dir qtio'n ntil th r. s. .r i ilv 2 ears. he ppi s s: are. e the head the wa 91 d to allinte detent. an ete he shoulder, and, ean-en. he owe si e of ith liliing det nts, a ross. pi e, conr ectillg said jaw members and looated adjaeent to the free endsof the jaws and at the sides 17e- Q r the dete tsa a, subs antially U shaped loop pivota y secured to. and embracinlg said aw members, and having its med a porton normally arran ed. 1n said detents, for the purpose de$cribe In timony. whereoi: I. tut i-xv y sig atu e in presence of two witnesses.

JQH SG AMM- Witnesses;

W. E. M IB HY EDMUND BENDE 

